Best hotels in Anguilla: ten places to stay on Meads Bay, Shoal Bay and Maundays Bay

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Anguilla is a long, flat island in the north eastern Caribbean, with more than 30 beaches. Most hotels sit on just a few of them: Meads Bay and Barnes Bay on the west coast, Maundays Bay and Rendezvous Bay in the south, and Shoal Bay East in the north east. Distances are short, so you can eat on one beach and swim on another the same day. Anguilla is also known for its food, from grilled crayfish at simple beach bars to restaurants run by chefs from around the world.

We have picked ten hotels and say who each one suits. All have a guest rating of at least 8.8 out of 10 and more than 50 reviews on Expedia. Our links go there, and the hotel is always chosen before the link. Anguilla has both big luxury resorts and small hotels with apartments and kitchens, so there is something for most budgets. The hotels are grouped by coast, so it is easy to see which beach you will end up on.

Quick answer: where should you stay in Anguilla?

Meads Bay has the most hotels and restaurants and suits most visitors. Maundays Bay and Rendezvous Bay in the south are quieter, with views of St Martin. Shoal Bay East has the island's most famous beach and good snorkelling.

• Best luxury resort: Four Seasons Resort Anguilla

• Best beach: Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel

• Best for couples: Zemi Beach House

• Best small hotel: Quintessence Hotel

• Best for families: Turtles Nest Beach Resort

How to choose the right hotel in Anguilla

• Choose the beach: Meads Bay for restaurants and life, Maundays Bay and Rendezvous Bay for peace, and Shoal Bay East for snorkelling.

• Kitchens: several hotels have suites with kitchens. That saves money on an expensive island.

• Hire car: you need a car to reach restaurants on other beaches. They drive on the left.

• Getting there: fly to St Martin and take the boat to Anguilla. Many hotels arrange transfers from the airport.

• Season: many hotels close for a few weeks in September and October. Check before you book.

The west coast: Meads Bay and Barnes Bay

Meads Bay is a long, white beach on the west coast, with several of the island's best hotels and restaurants. The water is calm, and the sunsets are among the finest on the island. Barnes Bay is next door. Here you have several restaurants within walking distance along the beach, which is rare on Anguilla.

Four Seasons Resort Anguilla: between two beaches

The Four Seasons sits on a point between Barnes Bay and Meads Bay, with an infinity pool facing the sea, several restaurants, a spa and large rooms with views. The resort has plenty for children and a wide range of activities.

This is our luxury pick, if you want everything in one place and world-class service. It suits couples and families alike. Watch the sunset from the bar above the pool. The resort also has tennis courts and a children's club, so parents can enjoy a quiet afternoon by the pool.

Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Four Seasons Resort Anguilla

Malliouhana: on the cliff above Meads Bay

Malliouhana sits on the cliff at the end of Meads Bay, with views over the beach, a pool and steps down to the sand. It is one of the island's classic hotels, now run by Auberge.

It suits couples who want a view and peace, with Meads Bay right below. Have breakfast on the terrace with the sea beneath you. The hotel also has a spa and a restaurant overlooking the water, and the mood is calm and elegant.

Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Malliouhana

Frangipani Resort: in the middle of Meads Bay

Frangipani sits in the middle of Meads Bay, in Mediterranean style with light colours, rooms and suites by the beach and a restaurant on the sand. Many rooms have a balcony or terrace overlooking the water.

It suits you if you want the beach right outside and several restaurants along Meads Bay within walking distance in the evening. Walk along the water's edge to the restaurants at the end of the bay.

Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Frangipani Resort

Carimar Beach Club: suites with kitchens

Carimar sits on Meads Bay, with large suites that have kitchens and balconies facing the beach. It is a small, quiet place with a garden.

It suits families and friends who want plenty of space and to cook some meals themselves. Shop at the small stores on the island and have dinner on the balcony. It is quiet in the evening, but Meads Bay has several restaurants a short walk along the beach.

Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Carimar Beach Club

Turtles Nest Beach Resort: room for the family

Turtles Nest sits on Meads Bay, with suites that have kitchens and balconies, a pool and the beach with parasols right outside.

This is our family pick, if you want space, a kitchen and calm water for the children. Rent snorkelling gear and look for turtles along the beach. The suites are big enough for the whole family, and several have sea views from the balcony.

Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Turtles Nest Beach Resort

The south coast and Shoal Bay

The south coast has Maundays Bay and Rendezvous Bay, looking across the channel to St Martin. Shoal Bay East in the north east is the island's most famous beach, long and white, with a reef just offshore. The hotels here are further apart, so a hire car is almost essential.

Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel: all of Maundays Bay

Cap Juluca stretches along the whole of Maundays Bay, with white Moorish-style villas, a large pool and one of the Caribbean's finest beaches right outside. The villas are spread along the sand.

This is our beach pick, if you want a long, calm beach almost to yourself. It suits couples and families. Walk the beach early in the morning, before anyone else is out. The hotel also has a spa and several restaurants, and you can borrow kayaks and paddleboards.

Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel

Aurora Anguilla Resort and Golf Club: golf on Rendezvous Bay

Aurora sits on Rendezvous Bay, with the island's golf course, several pools, a spa and restaurants. It is a large resort with plenty of space.

It suits golfers and families who want lots to do. The beach looks across to St Martin. Walk over to the beach bars on Rendezvous Bay in the afternoon. The golf course was designed by Greg Norman and runs along the sea, with views of St Martin from several holes.

Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Aurora Anguilla

Quintessence Hotel: small and exclusive

Quintessence is a small hotel on Long Bay, with few suites, art, a pool with a pavilion and personal service. Guests give it one of the highest ratings on the island.

This is our pick among the small hotels, for couples who want peace and personal service. There are few rooms, so book early. Long Bay is a quiet beach on the west coast, and Meads Bay is a short drive away.

Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Quintessence Hotel

Zemi Beach House: a spa and Shoal Bay East

Zemi Beach House sits on Shoal Bay East, with a pool among the palms, several restaurants and a spa in an old Thai house that was moved here. It has one of the highest guest ratings on Anguilla. The rooms are large, and several have terraces facing the sea.

This is our pick for couples, for a spa, good food and one of the island's finest beaches. Snorkel on the reef off Shoal Bay in the morning, when the water is clearest.

Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Zemi Beach House

Shoal Bay Villas: simple on the famous beach

Shoal Bay Villas is a small hotel right on Shoal Bay East, with apartments that have kitchens, a pool and the beach right outside.

It suits you if you want to stay on the famous beach at a lower price. The beach bars and restaurants of Shoal Bay are within walking distance. The apartments are simple, but they sit on one of the Caribbean's finest beaches, and that is what you pay for.

Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Shoal Bay Villas

When should you book?

• December to April: high season. Christmas and New Year are the most expensive and fill up first.

• May to July: good weather, quieter and lower prices. Prices are often noticeably lower than in high season.

• September and October: hurricane season. Several hotels close for a few weeks.

Frequently asked questions about hotels in Anguilla

How many nights do I need in Anguilla?

Five to seven nights is enough. Many combine it with a few nights on St Barths or St Martin.

Which beach should I stay on?

Meads Bay for restaurants and life, Maundays Bay for peace and Shoal Bay East for snorkelling.

Are hotels in Anguilla expensive?

The big resorts are expensive, but several small hotels have suites with kitchens at lower prices.

How do I get to Anguilla?

Fly to St Martin and take the boat across. The crossing takes under half an hour.

Is Anguilla good for children?

Yes, the water is calm on most beaches, and several hotels have suites with kitchens and pools. Shoal Bay East and Meads Bay are good beaches for children, with few waves for most of the year.

Read more

• Travel guide to Anguilla

• Best hotels in St Barths

• Best hotels in the Bahamas